Hi Everyone,
Just to be clear I will never post under another screen name. I thought 141VB157 was pretty clear that is was me with this screen name. Of course, I did the screen name when Mike was 141 & John was at 157. I very rarely post anything unless I feel someone is attacking my kid! LOL
Thanks for all the shout outs for Mike's performance this weekend. It was an incredible run, especially after the first loss. He was really down on himself and to dig deep to get himself mentally ready for Murin. Too be honest, when Murin dropped down into wrestlebacks Sue and I were planning our trip back home and we were changing our locks to the house! LOL We sat in the stands and watched every win and basically looked at each and said who is that kid? He told me that after the first loss he realized it could possibly be his last match and he was not going to lose. Who figured it would hold true.
Couple of things: 1. Mike is looking to return for another year, especially after this weekend! 2. Everyone new the headlock was coming. Coaches, Mikey, and I were aware of it and they worked on defending it as soon as they found out he was our draw. Originally it was not supposed to be him and it changed the night before. It is a difficult headlock to stop as it comes from the left side. Most kids hit from the right and kids get used to the feeling, when it comes from the left it throws most wrestlers off. The Rutgers coaching staff from top to bottom has been great for the 6 years that my boys have been there. You can not ask for a better staff, so for all the crazies asking for their heads you guys are way off base. They want the kids to not only be good wrestlers but better men. The Rutgers community has been awesome too!
3. 149/157 - Mike will have to wait see what happens with his weight. My personal feeling is that 149 is the right weight class for him to succeed at a high level. When you look at Deakin at 157 I wonder how he was able to reach NCAA's at 157, however he will do what ever it takes to be on the team. Just never to 141 again ever! I am not saying he deserves anything, obviously next year there will be several at that weight and coaches will have to determine who earns it. Honestly, if it is a normal year nobody will know until competitions starts. Lots of good wrestlers at 149. Alvarez, MVB, Aragona, Santos, & Angelo and I might be missing some.
4. Criticism - I think every wrestler can handle some criticism. Sometimes I read some of them and I agree with them. However sometimes fans can be a little brutal on this forum. I think the criticism is good but before posting it, maybe think if it was your son or someone you knew personally before hitting the send button. These are great kids that work really hard and devoted their life to succeeding at Rutgers.
Thanks again for all that reached out to me through, FB, text, phone, twitter, my phone would not stop. That's one great thing about the wrestling community it is a tight group and we all know each other.
Michael Van Brill ( Dad )
scarletknights.com
fb.watch
